Adair, Jean, 1873-1953

Jean Adair, character actress, was born Violet McNaughton, in Hamilton, Ontario Canada, ca. 1872-1873.

She trained for the theater in Chicago and developed her craft in stock companies. Her first important role was the lead in the William A. Brady tour of MOTHER. She spent several seasons on the vaudeville circuit doing playlets including THE OLD ARISTOCRAT, BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP and MAGGIE TAYLOR, WAITRESS. Her Broadway career began in 1922 with IT'S A BOY and ended with THE CRUCIBLE in 1953. er best known role was Aunt Martha in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. She died in New York City on May 11, 1953 at the age of 80.

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